Liquid dispensing device



Nov. 5, 1968 E. J. STENGLE, JR 3,409,184

LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1966 AT TORNE'Y5 fl wd Sta e Pee ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apump-type liquid dispenser positiona-bleinav bottle and comprising a bellows-like cylindrical side-wall which iscollapsible axially, such cylinder having one end open in the main andformed with a plurality of transverse ports adjacent'said end, theopposed end being closedby a rigid wall carrying an axial dispensingtube opening throughthe latter into the cylinder, such tube intended toproject through the bottle neck and manually actuated the collapse ofthe cylindrical side-wall only, against the bottom of the bottle, thusentrapping a measured amount of liquid in the cylinder for dischargethrough the tube when the cylinder is collapsed.

My invention relates to devices for dispensing liquid products, such asfoods, chemicals, proprietary and household products which are packagedin glass, plastic or other containers.

An important object of my invention is the provision of a simple,effective, liquid dispenser, especially adapted for use with eithernarrow-neck or wide-mouth bottles, or suchv containers and capable ofdelivering or dispensing measured quantitiesof liquid with eachoperation of the dispenser.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a liquid dispensingdevicecomprising a collapsible cylindrical bellows-like.- pump connectedto a discharge tube and communicating with the interior of a bottlewhich houses such pump,.to the end that liquid in an amount to fill thechamber is entrapped therein and then discharged through the tube inresponse to actuation 'of the pump.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a novel liquid dispenserembodying an axially collapsible cup-like chamber which functions bothas adispenser and means for predetermining the quantity-of liquiddispensed with each operation of the device. 1

Other objects will be in pointed out hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of my application:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view showing my liquid dispenserassembled with a narrow-neck bottle.

FIG. 2 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along the plane ofline 22 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the bellows-type pump shown inelevation in FIG. 1.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention it is assembled with abottle comprising a body 10, bottom wall 11 and adiametrically reduced,externally screw-threaded neck 12-,defining a mouth 13. A closure oap Cincluding a threaded attaching skirt 14 and panel 15, or top portion,.is telescoped over and threaded onto the neck 12. This panel is formedwith an internal axial guide sleeve 16 of about the same length as theattaching skirt to slidingly accommodate an element of my dispensingdevice as will become apparent hereinafter.

The dispensing device comprises a bellows-like cylinder pump 17preferably formed of a' plastic'matenal such aspolyethylene andincluding a cylindrical bellows part apparent and in part portion 18having an open lower end 19 and a relative heavy rigid transverse wall20 closing its upper end. The open lower end 19 is defined by adownwardly outwardly flared wall-section 21, The outside diameter ofwhich may be somewhat greater thanthat of the cylinder proper.

Additionally, this wall-section 21 is provided with a plurality of ports22 or apertures, which, as is evident permit flow of liquid from thebottle into thepump 17, from which it is discharged through a relativelyrigid tube 23 incident to axial compression or collapse of the bellowsportion 18. The capacity of this bellows portion 18, as is evident,predetermines the quantity of liquid dispensed with each operation. Theend use will determine its size or capacity.

Compression or axial collapse of the bellows portion -18 is effected bymeans of the relatively rigid tube 23 which, as indicated above is alsothe liquid discharge tube. This tube may be either polyethylene orpolypropylene. It is disposed coaxially with both the closure cap C. andthe pump 17. This tube extends throughthe aforementioned guide sleeve 16and has its lower end secured to the pump, as by threading it in acollar 24 on the rigid top wall 20. The end of this tube above theclosure cap C may be generally inverted U-shape providing a handleportion 25 affording easy manipulation of the pump. It also includes aspout 26 which is closable by a snap cap 27 or the like. In lieu of theconventional spout the opening of 'course may be such as to permit useof the device in spray application of the liquid dispensed. A thickenedportion 28, or button at the first bend of the tube permits actuation ofthe device merely by thumb pressure on this button. If preferred, theexposed section of the tube may well be initially a separate part whichlater is secured to the straight section. At the free inner end of theguide sleeve 16 is a ring gasket 29 or collar which encircles, 'and by ashrink fit, is securely affixed to the tube :for the purpose of holdingthe latter against undesired displacement.

It will be apparent that with the parts positioned as shown in FIG. 1liquid will flow readily into the pump by way of the apertures 22 orports and fill the cylinder and the tube to the level of liquid in thebottle proper. Incident to downward axial pressure upon the tube 23 thebellows portion is compressed, resulting in flow of liquid from the pumpto the spout 26. Almost concurrently with initial downward movement ofthe tube 23 the wall-section 21 (FIG. 3) flattens out against the bottomwall 11 of the container, thus both closing the ports 22 and effectivelysealing this section 21 against the container bottom to insure eifectiveliquid discharge. As explained above, the spout 26 may be designed foreither stream flow or spray, application. Also, the pump will beselected according to the specific liquid involved, that is, the sizeand capacity and therefore the quantity of liquid dispensed with eachoperation will be determined by the particular kind of liquid beinghandled.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of theappended claim.

I claim:

1. In combination, a container embodying body and neck portions with theneck defining a mouth, there being a bottom wallbelow said neck portion,a closure cap alfixed to the neck portion and having an axial openingtherethrough, and a liquid dispensing device comprising a bellows-likeaxially collapsible cylinder formed of a resilient plastic material andhaving an open end normally resting upon said bottom wall coaxially withthe opening in the closure cap, a relatively rigid wall closing theupper end'of the cylinder and a relatively rigid axially re ciprocabletube communicating with the, cylinder interior through an opening insaid rigid wall, said tube being secured to said wall and extendingoutwardly through the opening in the closure cap, and means wherebyliquid in the container may flow into the cylinder, the last named meansbeing an apertured downwardly flared wall section defining the open endof the cylinder, said flared wall section being of greater outsidediameter than the cylinder proper and adapted to lie fiat against thecontainer bottom wall when the cylinder is collapsed thereby to closethe apertures. V a I 2,283,414 5/1942 Cooper et a1 222-385 X 2,702,1472/1955 Brown 222321 X 3,124,275 3/ 1964 Lake' 222-321 X FOREIGN PATENTS1,129,718 7 9/1956 France.f r

10 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

N. L. STACK, Assistant Examiner.

